lamplough



L. F. LAMPLOUGH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING MATERIAL ONARTICLES Jan. 29; 1935.

Original Filed Dec. 3, 1950 'INVENTOR L-J-T LAMFLOUGH BY aRmM T ATTORNEYReissued Jan-.29, 1935.

iJNlTED STATES METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CANIZING MATERIAL 0N'ABTICIES Leslie Fawcett Lamplough, Baltimore, Md., alaignor to WesternElectric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork ' Original No. 1.97am. dated October Serial No. 499,656, Decembera, mo. tion for reissue November 29 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for vulcanizingmaterial on articles, and more particularly to methods of and apparatusfor vulcanizing a rubber insulation on wire.

Objects of the invention are to improve, simplify and expedite thevulcanization of materials on articles.

The invention contemplates the provision of a method of and apparatusfor vulcanizing materials on articles, wherein the article is heatedim.- mediately before the vulcanizable material is applied thereto, andall or a portion of the heat necessary to induce vulcanization isobtained by conduction from the heated article. In one embodiment of theinvention, a rubber insulation is vulcanized on wire by pre-heating thewire and then extruding a covering of uncured rubber compound thereon,the covering being vulcanized on the wire by heat conducted from theheated wire. Any necessary additional heat to induce vulcanization maybe obtained by subjecting the applied covering to a controlled heatingmedium, such as steam under pressure.

It is believed that a complete understanding of the invention will behad from the following detailed description, when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view, partly in section, of oneform of apparatus embodying the features of the invention and by meansof which the improved method may be practiced;

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views showing other forms ofapparatus embodying th I invention, and

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a wire having arubberinsulating covering vulcanized thereon in accordance with thepresent invention.

In the accompanying drawing, one embodiment of the invention isdiagrammatically illustrated in conjunction with an apparatus forcontinuously applying and vulcanizing a rubber insulating covering 10(Fig. 4) on an electricalconductor or wire 11. The apparatus comprisesan insulating head 12 of any suitable type adapted to extrude orotherwise apply under pressure a continuous uniform covering of aplastic rubber compound on the wire. as it is drawn through theinsulating head from a supply reel 14. The rubber insulated wire passesaround a capstan 15 which delivers it to a take-up reel 16, the capstanbeing driven, by means not shown, at a predetermined speed which iscoordinated with the extruding speed of the insulating head 12.

30, m4. Applicas, 1034, sci-nu No.

In accordance with the present invention, the

wire is heated to a predetermined temperature immediately before therubber compound is applied thereto, whereby all or a portion of the heatnecessary to induce vulcanization in the rubber covering is obtained byconduction from the heated wire. When the heat conducted from the wireis insumcient to completely vulcanize the rubber covering, the necessaryadditional heat may be obtained by subjecting the covered wire to acontrolled heating medium, such as steam under pressure. For example,when a relatively thick covering of rubber compound is applied on thewire, the heat conducted from the preheated wire may be suflicient tovulcanize only the layer or portion of the rubber compound immediatelyadjacent the wire. In such instances, the covered wire may be passedthrough an auxiliary vulcanizing chamber 18 (Fig. 1), wherein steam orany other suitable heating medium is admitted through an inlet 19, theheating medium in the chamber being maintained at a prede terminedtemperature and under a predetermined pressure as' may be required tocomplete the vulcanization of the rubber covering.

. Numerous methods may be employed for preheating the wire immediatelybefore applying the rubber compound thereto. In the embodiment of theinvention shown in Fig. 1, the wire is preheated by passing it through aheated chamber 24 immediately before it enters the insulating head 12.Any suitable means, such as one or more gas burners 25, may be employedfor "constantly maintaining a predetermined temperature within thechamber 24 to thereby insure the heating of the advancing wire to apredetermined temperature. The heated chamber 24 is preferably connecteddirectly. to the insulating head 12 so that the rubber compound isapplied to the heated wire before the wire is exmsed to the atmosphere.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the wire ispre-heated by passing it through one or more gas burner flames 28immediately before the rubber compound is applied thereto. The gas,flames may be enclosed in a chamber 30 adjoining the insulating head 12so that the heated wire is not exposed to the atmosphere before therubber compound is applied thereto.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the wire ispre-heated by passing it through a heated bath 36 of fine particles,such as sand or other suitable material contained in a container 37adjoining the insulating head 12.

Any suitable means; such as one or more gas burners 38 may be employedfor heating and maintaining the contents of the container 3'! at apredetermined temperature.

In some instances, it may be desirable to treat the surface of the wireor impart a predetermined characteristic thereto before applying therubber compound thereon in order to insure an intimate bond between thewire and the rubber covering. For example, it may be desirable'tooxidize, deoxidize, clean, roughen, smooth, or otherwise change acharacteristic of the surface of the wire before applying the rubbercovering thereto. This may be accomplished either before, during orimmediately after the pre-heating of the wire. Thus, in the embodimentof the invention shown in Fig. 2, the surface of the wire may beoxidized or de-oxidized during the pre-heatingprocess by employingoxidizing or reducing gas flames, respectively, in the heating chamber30. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the surface ofthe wire may be cleaned, roughened, or smoothed during the heatingprocess according to the character of the material employed in theheating bath 36.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments thereof herein illus-" trated and described, except in sofar as is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on conductors whichcomprises the steps of charging the conductor with an amount of heatsufficient to eflect vulcanization in vulcanizable material appliedthereto, subsequently applying and forming a covering of a vulcanizablecompound on the hot conductor and subsequently applying heat to theexterior surface of the covering to effect vulcanization therein fromwithout. 2. The method of forming 'and vulcanizing a covering onconductors which comprises the steps of passing a conductor through aheated chamber to charge the conductor with an amount of heat sufllcientto effect vulcanization from within in vulcanizable material appliedthereto, subsequently applying and forming a covering of a vulcanizablecompound on the hot conductor, and subsequently applying heat to theexterior surface of the covering to eflect vulcanization therein fromwithout. a

3. In an apparatus for continuously applying conductors, means forcontinuously advancing a conductor, means .to charge the conductor withan amount of heat sufllcient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizable material applied thereto, means to. continuously apply andform a covering of vulcanizable material on the hot con-'- ductor, andmeans to heat the exterior of the covering to eflect vulcanizationtherein from without. g

4. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized 'material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor, means to charge the conductor with an amount of heatsufficient to efiect vulcanization from within in vulcanizable materialapplied thereto and to simultaneously modify the surface of theconductor, means to continuously apply and form a covering ofvulcanizable material on the hot conductor, and means to heat theexterior of the covering to effect vulcanization therein from without.

5. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means forcontinuouslygadvancing aconductor through the apparatus, an'oven' to charge the conductor withan amount of heat sufficient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizable material applied thereto, an extrusion press to applyandform a covering of vulcanizable material on the hot conductor, andayvulcanizing chamber to eflect vulcanization in the covering fromwithout.

6. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor through the apparatus, an oven to charge the conductor-with anamount of heat sufflcient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizable material applied thereto, an extrusion press to apply andform a covering of vulcanizable material on the hot conductor, and avulcanizing chamber to effect vulcanization in the covering fromwithout, the said oven being internally heated by fuel flames throughwhich the conductor passes.

7. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor through the apparatus, an oven to charge the conductor with anamount of heat sufcient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizable material applied thereto, an extrusion press to apply andform a covering of vulcanizable material on the hot conductor, and avulcanizing chamber to effect vulcanization in the covering fromwithout, the said oven being internally heated by fuel flames of achemically oxidizing nature through which the conductor passes.

8. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor through the apparatus, an oven to charge the'conductor with anamount of heat sumcient toeflect vulcanization from within invulcanizable material applied thereto, an extrusion press to apply andform a covering of vulcanizable material on the hot conductor, .and avulcanizing chamber to effect vulcanization in the covering fromwithout, the said oven being internally heated by fuel flames of achemically reducing nature through which the conductor passes.

9. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor through the apparatus, an oven to charge the conductor with anamount of heat sufficient to effect vulcanization from within in vu.-canizable material applied thereto, an extrusion press-to apply and forma covering of vulcanizable material on the hot conductor, and avulcanizing chamber to eiIect vulcanization in the covering fromwithout, the said oven being externally heated and internally filledwith material to modify the surface of the conductor passingtherethrough. I

10. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on a conductorwhich comprises the steps of passing a conductor through a heatedatmosphere to modify the surface thereof and to simultaneously chargethe conductor with an amount of heat sufficient to efiect vulcanizationfrom within in vulcanizable material applied thereto, subsequentlyapplying and forming a covering of a vulcanizable compound on the hotconductor, andsubsequently applying heat to the exterior surface of thecovering to efiect vulcanization therein from without.

11. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on a conductorwhich comprises the steps of passing a conductor througha heatedatmosphere to modify the surface thereof chemically and tosimultaneously charge the conductor with an amount of heat sufficient toeffect vulcanization from within in vulcanizabie material appliedthereto, subsequently applying and forming a covering of a vulcanizabiecompound on the hot conductor, and subsequently applying heat to theexterior surface of the covering to effect vulcanization therein fromwithout.

12. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on a conductorwhich comprises the steps of passing a conductor through a heatedatmosphere to oxidize the surface thereof and to simultaneously chargethe conductor with an amount of heat suflicient to effect vulcanizationfrom within in vulcanizabie material applied thereto, subsequentlyapplying and forming a covering of a vulcanizabie compound on the hotconductor, and subsequently applying heat to the exterior surface of thecovering to effect vulcanization therein from without.

13. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on conductors whichcomprises the steps of passing a conductor through a heated atmosphereto reduce the surface thereof and to simultaneousiy charge the conductorwith an amount of heat sufficient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizabie material applied thereto, subsequently applying and forminga covering of a vulcanizabie compound on the hot conductor, andsubsequently applying heat to the exterior surface of the covering toeffect vulcanization therein from without.

14. The method of forming and vulcanizing a covering on conductors whichcomprises the steps of passing a conductor through a heated atmosphereto modify the surface thereof mechanically and to simultaneously chargethe conductor with an amount of heat suflicient to effect vulcanizationfrom within in vulcanizabie material applied thereto, subsequently applyand forming a covering of a vulcanizabie compound on the hot conductor,and subsequently applying heat to the exterior surface of the coveringto effect vulcanization therein from without.

15. A method of manufacturing a conductor with a covering of vulcanizedmaterial comprising the steps of charging the uncovered conductor withan amount of heat sufficient to effect vulcanization from within invulcanizabie material applied thereto, and subsequently applying andforming a covering of vulcanizabie material on the hot conductor.

16. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor, means to charge the conductor with an amount of heatsuflicient to effect vulcanization from within in vulcanizabie materialapplied thereto and to simultaneously chemically modify the surface ofthe conductor, means to continuously apply and form a covering ofvulcanizabie material on the hot conductor, and

means to heat the exterior of the covering to efisfect vulcanizationtherein from without.

- 17. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a coveringof vulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advancinga 4 conductor, means to charge the conductor with an amount of heatsuiiicient to efl'ect vulcanization from within in vulcanizabie materialapplied thereto and to simultaneously oxidize the sur- 3 face of theconductor, means to continuously ap- Ply and form a covering ofvulcanizabie material on the hot conductor. and means to heat theexterior of the covering to effect vulcanization therein from without.

18. In an' apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material on a conductor, means for continuously advanc- ,inga conductor, means to charge the conductor with an amount of heatsufficient to effect vulcanization from within in vulcanizabie materialapplied thereto and to simultaneously reduce the surface of theconductor, means to continuously apply and form a covering ofvulcanizabie material on the hot conductor, and means to heat theexterior of the covering to effect vulcanization therein from without.

19. In an apparatus for continuously applying and forming a covering ofvulcanized material onfa conductor, means for continuously advancing aconductor, means to charge the conductor with an amount of heat'sumcientto sheet vulcanization from within in vulcanizabie material appliedthereto and to simultaneously mechanicallymodify the surface of. theconductor, means to continuously apply and form a covering ofvulcanizabie material on the hotconductor, and means to heat theexterior of the covering to effect vulcanization therein from without.

20. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises the steps ofcharging a conductor with an amount of heat sufficient to effectvulcanization of vulcanizable material applied thereto, subsequentlyextruding a covering of a vulcanizabie compound on the hot conductor,then applying heat to the exterior of the covering to eiIectvulcanization thereinfrom the exterior thereof, and continuously movingthe conductor while carrying out the aforementioned steps.

21. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises continuouslycharging successive increments of a conductor with an amount of heatsufiicient to effect vulcanization of vulcanizabie material appliedthereto, subsequently extruding a covering of avulcanizable compoundupon successive increments of the hot conductor, and then continuouslyapplying heat to successive increments of the exterior of the coveringto efl'ect vulcanization of the covering material from the exteriorthereof.

22. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises continuouslypassing a conductor through a heated zone to charge successiveincrements of the conductor with an amount of heat suilicient to effectvulcanization from within of vulcanizabie material appliedthereto,extruding a covering of a vulcanizabie compound on the hot conductor,and then continuously advancing the covered; conductor through avulcanizing zone to eflect vulcanization of the covering compound fromthe exterior thereof.

23. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises charging aconductor with a quantity of heat sumcient to effect vulcanization ofvulcanizable material applied thereto, extruding a covering of avulcanizabie compound on the hot conductor, and continuously'subjectingthe coated conductor to a gaseous vulcanizabie medium at a temperaturesufficiently high to effect vulcanization of the covering from theexterior thereof.

24. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises charging aconductor with a quantity of heat sumcient to eflect vulcanization ofvulcanizable material applied thereto, immediately thereafter extrudinga covering of a vulcanizable compound on the hot conductor, and thencontinuously subjecting successive increments of the coated conductor tosteam at a temperature and under pressure suflicient to eflectvulcanization of the compound from the exterior thereof.

25. In an apparatus for continuously insulating a conductor, means tocharge the conductor with an amount of heat suflicient to effectvulcanization of vulcanizable material applied thereto, means tocontinuously extrude a covering of vulcanizable material on the hotconductor, a vulcanizing chamber. for treating the material with a hotvulcanization medium under pressure, and means for continuouslyadvancing the conductor through each of the aforementioned means.

26. In an apparatus for continuously insulating a conductor,, an oven tocharge the conductor with an amount of heat suflicient to effectvulcanization of vulcanizable material applied thereto, an extrusionpress for covering the hot conductor with a vulcanizable compound, avulcanizing chamber adjacent the extrusion press.-

vulcanizing chamber adjacent the extrusion press, means for continuouslyadvancing the parts of the apparatus, and means for admitting steamunder pressure into the vulcanizing chamber in direct contact with thev'ulcanizable compound whereby vulcanization is efiected in saidcompound from-the exterior thereof.

28. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises charging aconductor with an amount of heat suflicient to effect partialvulcanization of a given quantity of vulcanizable material, applying theaforesaid quantity of vulcanizable material as a covering upon the hotconductor, and app ying additional heat to the exterior of the coveringwhereby the vulcanizable material is completely vulcanized by heatapplied to the interior and exterior surfaces thereof.

29. The method of insulating conductors, which comprises continuouslycharging successive increments oi a conductor with an amount of heatsuiiicient to effect partial vulcanization of a given quantity ofvulcanizable material, subsequently extruding the aforesaid 'quantity ofvulcanizable material as a covering upon the hot conductor, and thencontinuously applying addiplied to the interior and exterior surfacesthereof.

LESLIE FAWCE'I'I LAMPLOUGH.

